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ARCHIVE: Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: a Look into Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao

By Thomas Behan, Consumer Safety Inspector
Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander
Special Emphasis Program Manager

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) heritage month, and the 2024 theme is Advancing Leaders Through Innovation. It is a time to recognize and celebrate the people of the AA and NHPI community.

Vietnamese martial arts are a vibrant blend of Vietnam’s cultural heritage. It is a way for the nation to express its resilience, discipline and profound connection to its extraordinary past. The spectrum of Vietnamese martial arts paints a vivid portrait of its traditions and embodies a full approach to mind, body and spirit.

The history of Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao martial arts style is a testimony to Vietnam’s commitment to adaptability and innovation in the realm of martial arts. Vovinam and Viet Vo Dao originally had separate names but are one in the same. They were established in 1938. “Vo” means martial arts and “Vinam” means Vietnam. In 1964, the two names were combined to form Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao, which is often shortened to Vovinam.

Vovinam is the harmony of the body and mind. The discipline seamlessly blends techniques with innovative moves. It is characterized by fluid motions and acrobatic kicks and often focuses on flashy techniques that are very difficult. Vovinam is based on the principle of “hard and soft” realistic and effective techniques that involve strikes, elbows, kicks, knees, wrestling and defensive moves. It also includes weapons such as swords, knives, chisels, claws and fans. In training, these devices are used to reach optimal control of body and mind.

In 1964, the first Council of Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao established the first official uniform for Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao. Marine blue was adopted as the official color for the uniforms. At the same time, the council established a rank hierarchy that included belts to represent ranks.

The student begins with a cyan belt that is the same color as his/her suit. A blue belt represents the sea, and hope. Next are the yellow belt that stands for earth; red belt that stands for blood and the intensive flame. (In other forms of martial arts this red belt is the black belt.) And finally, the white belt assigns a master with the rank of absolute mastery of Vovinam. It represents the infiniteness, the bones, which is the symbol of the depth of the spirit.

By understanding one of Vietnam’s martial arts, you gain insight into the rich ancient traditions of physical, mental and spiritual connections that are a valued part of Vietnamese culture.

Image by the Vovinam World Map project.